Everyone knows the big names of the 2012 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft. Dhane Smith, Mark Matthews, Brock Sorensen, Shayne Jackson, among others.
But there are some other good prospects in there too, who are going unnoticed. Most of them won’t be first round picks, but who are some sleeper prospects that could have an impact?
Joel Matthews
Matthews looked like one of the top young lacrosse players in Canada when he put up two 100 point seasons in a row. However, he played in just 20 games this season in Junior A between St. Catharines and Six Nations where he struggled due to injuries. Despite this, he should be a solid pick up for any team that drafts him. A big body with great ability to score, he should be a guy selected in the second or third round.
Cody Hawkins
Hawkins could end up a first round pick if a team likes him enough, but he is someone who has not been talked about. He’s a shut down, rock solid defender who played in Junior A with the Delta Islanders this season. He isn’t much on the transition side of things, which some teams would be looking for, but for a team who just needs defense, he’s their guy.
Robert Koger
Koger is a lot similar to Hawkins in the sense that he’s a strong defender with no focus on the offensive side of the ball. At 6’5, he’s a beat left handed defender that could end up as one of the best defenders taken in the draft.
Steele Stanwick
Yes, he’s an American field lacrosse player. No, those don’t exist in the NLL very often. But Stanwick is one of the most talented players in lacrosse today, no matter age or position. He won’t be a high round pick because teams just don’t use top picks on Americans. But he’s a potential late round pick that could be a major impact if he develops properly as a box player.
